The outdoors has always been a passion for me...

...since I placed my first order from "Herders" catalog , read "Hunter" by John Hunter, tied my first fly and shot my first hunting rifle - all by the ripe old age of 12. Growing up on a ranch in Northern California gave me the opportunity to explore the natural world on a daily basis, providing the outdoor experiences that have shaped a lifelong endeavor.

As a Flyfishing Guide I began working as a full time guide during the spring, summer and fall in the late 1980’s in Bozeman, Montana. During those years I spent over 200 days a year on the water either with clients or “researching” new areas. I made trips to New Zealand, Mexico and eventually guided for a winter season in Chile. I have been an avid fly-tier both personally and commercially, and have designed many patterns that have lead to successful experiences for my clients.

I probably fished more in those years than the most avid hobby angler will in a lifetime. I still do a great deal of fishing though now my efforts are concentrated on water that would not be considered “commercial guiding water”. Off the beaten path waters hold my attention now, the hikes are longer and much more demanding, fish are often smaller and fewer, but occasionally larger and more abundant than those produced by the average shop guided operation. The total experience is my goal.

As a Hunting GuideIn the late 1980's I learned the ropes of professional big game hunting working for an outfitter in the Colorado Rockies, managing horsepack strings to remote, primitive hunting camps. My scouting and tracking skills were honed to ensure the client was successful. This lead to my lifelong pursuit of plains game both in Montana and Africa to present day. My ever-increasing knowledge and research of firearms and reloading techniques for specific game hunting situations well positions me to address the full scope of the hunting experience.As an ArtistIn 2011 I revived my interest in painting and drawing after 30 years, in Livingston, Montana. Combining my artistic skills with my 24 of years experience as a professional hunting and fishing outfitter in Montana and the West, I currently paint Montana’s landscape and wildlife in watercolor. I have long been interested in painting and drawing. After attending the University of Oregon, studying art and architecture, in the mid 1970’s I was able to study drawing and painting in San Francisco, CA with Thomas Leighton and Marjorie Lester. He was an expatriate Englishmen trained in England’s Royal Academe, and his wife Marjorie was an excellent artist who did many wonderful illustrations for National Geographic and other international publications.I found that the hunter and angler is not an observer but a participant in nature. I see not only thought the predator’s eye, but also through the prey’s. A good hunter must become the quarry. For the artist, anatomy is key to understanding how a creature moves. I understand the physical structures of game animals very well--their habits through intimate observation and every aspect of their behavior wherever I encounter them. In my paintings I try to capture the momentary presence of wildlife. Wildlife is always in motion--stillness is fleeting. What do I see in 3 or 4 seconds? I see the eyes, broad colors, the impression of life and its surroundings. A memory, a recollection of an encounter, not too much detail, just enough to suggest what I thought I saw, just enough to let you, the viewer, fill in the details from your own memories. As a WriterI have brought readers the benefits of my years of hunting, flyfishing and general outdoor experience. Combining this with my personal photography and illustration techniques, I am able to provide a complete package, ready for publication.

E Street Gallery We decided in March 2014 to open our studio/gallery to show my watercolors by appointment only. Please visit the E Street Gallery website or "LIKE" us on Facebook and keep up on new works and happenings.119 South E StreetLivingston, MT 59047 406.222.9178 - Call us for a private viewing.